Thiruvananthapuram/Kasargod: Violence has no place in the Constitution, President Ramnath Kovind said on Monday, and voiced concern over recurring political clashes in Kerala on a day the news came of a CPI-M youth wing activist being stabbed to death allegedly by BJP-RSS cadre.
Inaugurating the 'Festival of Democracy', a conference to mark the conclusion of diamond jubilee celebrations of the Kerala Assembly in Thiruvananthapuram, Kovind said all parties and enlightened citizens should do their best to check political violence.
He said the history of "debate, mutual dignity and respect" for each other's point of view has been the "hallmark" of Kerala society, prominently placing Malayalees among the thought leaders of the country.
"Nevertheless there remains the paradox of political violence in Kerala, especially in some regions of the state.
This is unfortunate and does little justice to the glorious traditions of the state and its people.
"Debate, dissent and disagreement are perfectly acceptable and should be welcomed in our polity. But violence has no place in our Constitution," he said.
Kovind's remarks followed reports that a 25-year-old Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) worker, was attacked by two motorcycle-borne men in Kasargod district's Uppala, about 600 km from Thiruvananthapuram, late last night.
Siddique was rushed to a nearby hospital but could not be saved, a police official said.
Kerala's ruling CPI-M's state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan blamed the killing on the BJP-RSS combine.